Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], Dec 6 (ANI): Defense analyst Abhijit Iyer Mitra was released from jail in Bhubaneswar on Thursday after Orissa High Court granted him bail yesterday. He was arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks on Konark temple.

This came after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government decided not to accord sanction to prosecute the analyst in certain criminal cases and said that it would also take steps to withdraw other criminal cases pending against him.

On September 16 this year, Mitra during a visit to the century-old Konark Temple posted a satirical video on Twitter allegedly insulting Odisha, its culture, tradition and state legislators. He later wrote an apology letter to the House Committee of Vidhan Sabha and the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly over his sarcastic remarks and other offenses he was accused of.

"Abhijit Iyer Mitra has made an appeal to the Government of Odisha to consider withholding sanction to prosecute him in certain criminal cases pending against him. He has appealed 'to accept his apology and contrition' in having wounded the sentiments of people of Odisha without intention," a press statement from the Department of Home, Odisha government, on December 4 read.

"Taking into account his representation, the Government has decided not to accord sanction of prosecution in cases where the prosecution has been sought for and also decided to take steps to withdraw other cases pending against him," the press statement further stated.

Mitra was first arrested by the Odisha Police on September 20 from Delhi on the charges of hurting religious sentiments. A Delhi court later granted him bail against a bond of Rs 1 lakh and directed him to join the investigation at Konark police station. He moved the Supreme Court for bail, where his plea had been quashed. (ANI)